Rofa Mae Halina, an Out of School Youth from Barangay Tagdu, Mambajao, Camiguin, now owns here very own homemade longganisa business after completing a technical course on Food Processing, offered by 1 AND ALL Technical School through the support of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Being the eldest child, Rofa Mae has to sacrifice her studies for her two younger siblings and work harder in order to support their family, after her father became sickly and weak.

“Dagku gyud ang akong pasalamat sa DSWD ug sa 1 AND ALL Technical School tungod kay usa ko sa mga natagaan ani nga training, labi na gyud kay gitagaan pa ko og gamit pangakabuhayan human sa among graduation (I am really thankful to DSWD and 1 AND ALL Technical School for the opportunity they have given me as one of the recipient of this training apart from the start-up kit they have provided us after graduation)”, says Rofa Mae. “Maningkamot gyud ko nga mapalambo ning akong gamay nga negosyo alang-alang sa akong pamilya (I will do my best to improve my business for the benefit of my family)”, she avows.

The Sustainable Livelihood Program is a multi-stakeholder program of the department that aims to improve the standard of living of poor households by facilitating opportunities for development and management of resources viable for micro-enterprises, community empowerment through skills training and employment facilitation. It gives significant priority to the youth being the hope of the future generation, similar to the 1 AND ALL Technical School whose mission, is to develop responsible and effective citizens to make significant contribution to the workforce that would eventually improve the livelihood of every community.

SMILES OF SUCCESS. The happy and grateful program participants of Marcos Calo SKA showing their big smiles.

Failure is delay, not defeat–a statement that perfectly fits with the inspiring story of Marcos Calo SEA-K Association in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte.

In 2012, the said association received a total of Php170,000 as Capital Seed Fund from the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) which they used to individually venture into various businesses like hog raising, farming, sari-sari store and Wholesale/Retail on RTW items.

Challenge ArrivesWhile on the verge of earning positive profit, the association faced crisis when the previous treasurer and a member used the funds and flee.

“Desidido dyud mi tanan na ma-recover ug ipadayon ang kabag-uhan (All of us are eager to recover and continue the change),” she added.

The group agreed to use their savings to pay their balance with DSWD. After 10 months, the association was able to give full payment.

Building BackStill hopeful, the remaining balance from the savings amounting to Php14,500 was used to invest on micro-lending in April 2013. The enterprise model offers micro-finance loans to members and non-members with less interest rates. To maintain good payment and cash flow, by-laws have been created and agreed. more →

After receiving the Self-Employment Assistance Kaunlaran (SEA-K) fund last 2013, she decided to engage into 100% natural coconut oil production. With numerous spas in their tourist-visited island, venturing on this business seems economically feasible for her. Her husband along her children helps her from pre-production to marketing of the said product. The family even built a small store in their front yard for product display. Eager to widen up market opportunities, Liling even engages into consignment.

Her family’s persistence led the product to be known to the tourists visiting Siargao Islands. From using a traditional bottle for packaging, the product is now parceled with a fancy bottle. It is now called Siargao Gold. With its natural content, it is good not just for massage but for cooking, skin moisturizer and deodorant as well.

Monita leads her group in upkeeping the Cash for Building Livelihood Assets (CBLA) project in Bgry. San Fernando, Del Carmen, Siargao Islands, Surigao del Norte. She ensures that cultivating the 1.7 hectares cassava farm will reap a good harvest. The members of the group are all Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program partner-beneficiaries who are working hand in hand to sustain and expand the project.

CBLA is one of the four (4) modalities of SLP that encourages short-term and labor-intensive projects that will open opportunities for poor families to augment their income, through the development of physical and natural assets, while they earn during project implementation.

“The food really tastes good and we had such a great experience,” shared by one of the satisfied customers of White Sand SEA-K Association (SKA), Ms. Louela Mae Lanzaderas. White Sand SKA is located in Brgy. Daku, General Luna, Siargao Islands, Surigao del Norte. The 24 Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) participants of the said group agreed to fuse their grant to ensure economic viability. These participants are all Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program partner-beneficiaries.

High foot traffic of tourists have been visiting the island due to its astonishing scenery. It’s also a great place for a combo day-trip of surf and beach. However, access to food is not easy in the island. With this, the group decided to engage in catering services. They serve sumptuous food with an affordable price compared with the rates other hotel or resorts offer. They also offer island hopping services as part of the package.